GOP Senator’s inquiry into Facebook runs afoul of First Amendment

[LuckyTheDog]

By Sophia Cope

Allegations that Facebook’s “trending” news stories are not actually those that are most popular among users drew the attention of Sen. John Thune (R-SD), who sent a letter of inquiryto Facebook suggesting that the company may be “misleading” the public, and demanding to know details about how the company decides what content to display in the trending news feed. Sen. Thune appears particularly disturbed by charges that the company routinely excludes news stories of interest to conservative readers.

Congressional inquiries usually come with the tacit understanding that Congress investigates when it thinks it could also legislate. Yet any legislative action in response to the revelations would run afoul of the First Amendment. It is possible that Sen. Thune, as chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, sees Facebook as engaging is “unfair or deceptive” trade practices, but that still does not create a legal basis for regulating what amounts to Facebook’s editorial decision-making.

MORE HERE: http://yonside.com/senators-inquiry-facebook-runs-afoul-first-amendment/

[hankthecrank]

1. I'm sure he will tell you rules are for the peons

[kimbutgar]

2. The right wing control most of the media but they can't control facebook

Where a lot of people go to get information and able to dispute with facts right wing lies. Lurch thinks he can scare a publicly traded corporation into falling into the right wing perspective. He is seriously wrong and will be pushed back.

[Aristus]

3. Too bad, Senator.

The Constitution also applies to private corporations even when they aren't on the Republicans' side...